Hackney filmmaker fined for flying illegal drone

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Source: Wikimedia Commons

A Hackney filmmaker has been landed with a large fine after flying a drone without permission over Hyde Park.

Richard Brunner, 33, of Reighton Road in Clapton, pleaded guilty to three offences in breach of the Air Navigation Order and was ordered to pay £1,225 at Westminster Magistrates Court on October 1.

Police spotted the drone, which was fitted with a camera and therefore classified as a small unmanned surveillance aircraft, flying near traffic and pedestrians at around 11.30am on Saturday May 30.

Officers located and confronted Brunner in Hyde Park, who said he was filming a promotional video.

The drone was seized by the officers and the case was handed over to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Chief Inspector Colin Carswell, from the Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “This was an act of irresponsibility that could have had serious consequences, not least the risk of causing serious injury to the people below.”

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